Rapids Launch adidas Alliance with Three Colorado Youth Soccer Clubs

COMMERCE CITY COLO. (Tuesday June 9 2009) – The Colorado Rapids today announced the launching of the adidas Alliance one of the most integrated partnerships in American youth soccer with three Colorado youth soccer clubs.

Joining the Rapids in the adidas Alliance are the Boulder County Force Soccer Club Denver metro area Colorado Storm Soccer Association and Colorado Springs based Pride Soccer Club.

"This partnership is a positive step in our continued efforts to identify develop and promote players within our structure said Rapids Technical Director Paul Bravo.

"The adidas Alliance will give our partnering clubs' memberships full access to our Development Academy with the plan to develop players for our First Team. The development and education instituted within the adidas Alliance will not only be on the player level but we will also share in coaching resources and philosophies that will move us all forward together. We are really excited about this opportunity and are looking forward to a long lasting relationship with each of our affiliates."

The adidas Alliance was established to create a working relationship between existing clubs that will benefit soccer development through shared resources and encouraging players to stay in their home clubs in the U11-U14 age groups. Those players will have direct access to the Rapids U16/U18 Development Academy teams through visible scouting and direct coaching and curriculum ties.

Adidas Alliance clubs will also have exclusive access to on-field and in-stadium educational events with the Colorado Rapids.

"The Boulder County Force Soccer Club is excited to formally join an alliance with the Colorado Rapids and adidas said Hardy Kalisher Boulder County Force Director of Operations. "The Colorado Rapids have taken a leadership position in grassroots and elite level youth soccer. The adidas Alliance is the next step in the evolution of the Boulder County Force and youth soccer in Colorado. The adidas Alliance will mean a better soccer experience for all Boulder County Force players coaches and families."

"Pride Soccer Club is very enthusiastic about the opportunities created for our boys program as we enter into a relationship with the Colorado Rapids through the adidas Alliance added Pride’s Boys Director of Coaching Gary Evans. "Through shared resources we will enhance our player development program and improve our training techniques which will prepare our players for great opportunities. Whether a player aspires toward a professional or college career he is able to do so in Colorado Springs because of the innovative training and high quality coaching staff at Pride Soccer Club."

"As a former player and Assistant Coach for the Colorado Rapids I am excited about the alliance between Colorado Storm and the Rapids explained Storm Technical Director Steve Trittschuh. "I look forward to working with and developing the top players in the State of Colorado in the U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy. This also gives the younger players in Colorado Storm a chance to play at the highest level whether that is attending college on an athletic scholarship or being a member of the Colorado Rapids professional team. This is great for the State of Colorado combining the largest youth club with a top professional MLS club."

With this announcement also comes the news that Trittschuh will now coach the Rapids' U16 Academy team and Storm Director of Coaching Michael Haas will coach the Rapids' U18 Academy team. Trittschuh appeared in 91 matches for the Rapids from 1996-98 and later served as an Assistant Coach from 2003-06.